The management of the sequelae of COVID-19 is described as the next great challenge ofglobal public health. Multiple symptoms may compose the clinical picture of thesepatients (eg, fatigue, dyspnea, cognitive dysfunction, myalgia and others), persistingfor more than a year and frequently causing clinically important functional impairment.Thus, a clinical trial will be conducted to investigate the effects of a remotelysupervised home-based exercise program on functional sequelae of patients diagnosed withthe post-COVID-19 condition (also known as Long COVID).
Not Provided
Other: Home-based physical training
Patients allocated to this group will participate in a 16-week home-based physical
training program, structured in three weekly sessions of aerobic and muscle strengthening
exercises (which also have components that stimulate flexibility and balance). A third of
the weekly physical training sessions will be supervised via telemedicine (with video
call) by a clinical exercise specialist, but all patients will have illustrated exercise
booklets and a full-time remote support service available for the remaining sessions (via
text or voice messages).
Inclusion Criteria:
- COVID-19 diagnostic history confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test (with clinical presentations of
moderate to critical severity).
- Diagnosis of post-COVID-19 condition according to World Health Organization
criteria.
- Present ≥1 symptoms at study admission, including dyspnea, fatigue, muscle weakness
and/or musculoskeletal pain.
- Have internet access at home.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Being under clinical or experimental treatment for the post-COVID-19 condition.
- Any physical disabilities that could hamper physical testing and exercise program.
- Patients with major neuropsychiatric disorders (eg, dementia or severe depression).
- Patients with chronic kidney disease who are in need of hemodialysis.
- Solid organ transplant patients.
- Complex ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation or complete heart block.
- Recent malignant neoplasm.
- Recent deep venous thromboembolism.
- Acute pulmonary embolism or pulmonary infarction.
- Uncontrolled hypertension.
- Uncontrolled type II diabetes.
- Uncontrolled vestibular disorders.
- Acute infections.
- Pregnancy.
University of Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Investigator: Bruno Gualano, PhD
Contact: 551130918783
gualano@usp.br
Bruno Gualano, PhD
55112661 - 8021
gualano@usp.br
Not Provided